First Honest Depiction of Childhood in America?

I remember watching this film at 11 years old on HBO and it actually felt like I was watching a documentary. Kids were actually acting the way kids acted in real life. Kids cursed, some kids smoked, some kids were bullies, some kids were jerks, some kids were good, some were decent, and some were cool. Adults were jerks, alcoholics, and had their own agendas. Some were nice like Joey's mother some redeemed themselves like Buttermaker some were opportunists like Whitewood and some would never change like Turner & Cleveland.

This is the first film I ever remember that didn't talk down to kids and actually treated them honestly and with some kind of respect.

It's also another great film by Michael Ritchie showing the hypocrisy of suburbia and the general hypocrisies of adults and their personal agendas.